THE INVENTOR 

INTRODUCING THE WISHING BOX 
A Christmas Play 



BY 



ELSIE DUNCAN YALE 



Price 15 Cents 



Hall-Mack Co., 1018 Arch St., PIina.,Pa. 

We«tcri Agl.. F. E. HATHAWAY, 425 S. W.b.sb Aye.. Chicago, 111. 



THE INVENTOR 

Introducing the Wishing Box 



A CHRISTMAS PLAY 



by Elsie Duncan Yale 



COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
WARNING ! 

Permission for Public Performance 

According to the provisions of the Copyright Act of July, 1909, the owucr 
of the Copyright "shall have the exclusive right to print, reprint, publish, 
copy and vend the Copyright work." 

The purchase of this copy or any number of copies does not carry with 
it tlie right of Public Performance for any purpose whatever, but the Owners 
of the Copyright hereby grant permission for Public performance to any 
bona flde purchaser of Ave or more copies who shall in good faith make such 
a purchase for the purpose herein stated. 

Performance from borrowed or rented copies is not permitted. 

HALL-MACK COMPANY, 

Owners of Copyright. 



PRICE 15 CENTS 



Hall-Mack Co., 1018 Arch St., Phila, Pa. 

Wctern Agent, F. E. HATHAWAY, 425 S. Wabash Ave.. Chicago. III. 
Copyright MCMXV. by Hall-Mack Company. International Copyright secured 



4 

The Inventor ^^^^^^ 

Introducing the Wishing Box ^\ 



A CHRISTMAS PLAY 



SCENE AND PROPERTIES REQUIRED. 

The sitting room of Faraway Farm. Rocking chairs, table 
covered with red cloth or oilcloth, braided nigs, small mirror 
hanging on wall, beneath which are conil) and brush. Lantern, 
carpet slippers, books, and large box (see suggestions). 

CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES. 

Tom. — Ordinary street clothes, long overcoat, and afterward 
cap with college band. Carries college flag, after he comes from 
the Wishing Box. 

Edith. — Dressed as girl of fourteen in traveling costume. 

Aunt Susan. — Gingham dress, white apron, white wig. 

Aknf.r. — Old suit, blue overalls, boots, afterwards removed 
for carpet slippers. After he comes from the Wishing Box wears 
checked suit, gay necktie, derby and carries ' ' sample' ' case of 
soap and perfumes. 

Miss Wise.- 



:.-} 



Teachers. Long cloaks and veils. 
Miss Markus. 

Ti, T, \ Spinsters. Old-fashioned dress, carry 

Miss Priscii.la. — ) ^ ' 

y old valises, umbrellas, bundles, bird- 
Miss Prudence. — 

) cage, etc. 

Rastus (i) Black face. — Pullman porter. Dark uniform 
trimmed with brass buttons, cap lettered "Pullman." Black- 
ened face and hands. 

Rastus (2) White face. — Same size boy, costumed identi- 
cally. He takes Rastus' place, as provided in the play. 

Inv^entor. — Should be dressed to suggest "absent-minded- 
ness," as, for example, a tan shoe on one foot and a black one 
on the other, gloves on wrong hands, etc, 

DCI.D 42150 



NOV I 1915 TMP92-007617 



(GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. 

The magic wishing box is a large packing box, lettered 
"Wishing Box" Patent Applied For." Across the rear of the 
platform a dark curtain is stretched, making as it were a false 
wall to the room. This conceals the box until it is needed, and 
affords opportunity for the characters to make the necessary 
changes in their costumes.' One side of the box, also the top 
are removed, so that the characters may enter the box through 
the top, using a small stepladder if necessary, and come out 
again quickly, being enabled to change their costumes and 
receive the necessary accessories through the side which has 
been removed. It is important that everything necessary for the 
change of costume should be in readiness. In the case of the 
Pullman porter it will be found advisable to substitute for 
" Rastus," a boy costumed in exactly the same manner but with 
face unblackened. 



COPYRIGHT NOTICE. 

Warning. 

Permission For Public Performance. 

According to the provisions of the Copyright Act of July, 
1909, the owner of the Copyright "shall have the exclusive 
right to print, reprint, publish, copy and vend the Copyright 
work. 

The purchase of this copy or of any number of copies does 
not carry with it the right of Public Performance for any purpose 
whatever, but the Owners of the Copyright hereby grant per- 
mission for Public Performance to any bona fide purchaser of 
ten or more copies who shall in good faith make such a purchase 
for the purpose herein stated. 

Performance from borrowed or rented copies is not permitted. 

HALL-MACK COMPANY, 

Owners of the Copyright. 



Copyright, MCMXV, by HALL-MACK CO., International Copyright secured. 

2 



The Inventor 



ACT I. 

(Curtain rises. Aunt Susan seated near table with knitting 

in hand.) 

Aunt Susan (laying down knitting). — Dear, dear, it's 

snowing still. This will certainly be a white Christmas. (Re- 
sumes work.) I must hurry and finish this sock for Abner.- 
He's been such a faithful hired boy, and I don't know of a thing 
that would please him better for Christmas than a pair of nice 
red socks. (Holds them up to view.) (Knits a few naoments.) 
They're finished now, and I know he'll be plumb tickled. He 
did say somethin' about a baseball an' bat, but these here socks 
are better. I must wrap them up in paper. Where's that piece 
the meat came in? (Rises and searches, at last finding it.) I 
don't beheve in this new-fangled nonsense about red ribbon and 
holly tags for wrapping presents. (Wraps socks in meat paper.) 

(Enter Abner, whistling, sets down lantern, takes off boots 
and puts on bright colored carpet slippers. Goes to mirror and 
combs hair.) 

Abner. — The chores are all done now, thank goodness. 
Where's that book I wuz readin', "Wyoming Will, the Hero 
of Gold Gulch?" (Searches on table and finds it. Sits down 
to read.) 

Susan. — Did you shut the henhouse door and lock the 
stable ? 

Abner. — Yes, ma'am. I got up at three o'clock this morn- 
ing, an' I swept the barn an' fed the horses an' cows an' pigs 
an' chickens, an' did the milkin', an' shoveled paths, an' split 
kindlin' an sawed wood, an' cleaned the harness, an' got the 
mail, an' shoveled some more, an' mended the sleigh, an' did 
the evening chores, an' now it's nine an' I'm through. (Sighs.) 
Nothin' to do till to-morrow. Ain't I the lucky guy ? 

Susan. — Yes, Abner, you are a right lucky boy to be hired 
man here I can tell you, an' I hope you won't be foolish an' run 
away to the city. You may be plumb thankful you have to 
work. Do you know who finds mischief for idle hands ? 

3 



Abner (promptly). — Yes, ma'am, you do. I know what 
I'd do if I had a lot of money, though. 

Susan. — What would you do ? 

Abner. — I'd go to a high-class hotel an' hire a number-one 
room, an' leave orders to be called at three. 

Susan. — That's a crazy notion. 

Abner. — Then, when they knocked on my door, I'd say, 
Nix, I don't have to get up. 

Susan. — Hark ! I hear someone at the gate. I hope it 
ain't a tramp. I ain't got no time for those fellers that don't 
want to work between meals. Cut out the meals, I say, if that's 
the case. 

Abner. — You've got as much sympathy for them as you 
have for me. The only place / find sympathy is in the 
dictionary. 

Susan. — Don't stop to talk, Abner, but open the door. 

(Abner reluctantly lays down his book and rises.) 

Abner. — Got to tend door, too. Next thing I'll have to 
wear a frilly apron and a dinky liitle cap. Miss Susan is sure 
the President of the Society for the Prevention of Leisure. 

Voice. — Anybody home .'' 

Abner. — Nobody but the lamp and that's going out. 

(Opens door and enter storm-bound party.) 

Abner. — Well, I swan ! Are you sure you're all here and 
ain't left anybody setting down in the snow? (A thought strikes 
him.) If this is a surprise for Miss Susan, you're a week too 
late for her seventy-eighth birthday was last Wednesday. 

Susan. — Abner ! Aren't you ashamed of yourself ! Seventy- 
eighth birthday ! 

Edith. — We really must apologize for coming in this — er — 
this — what IS the word I want ? 

Tom. — Nervy. 

Edith. — No, indeed. I mean unceremonious. That's it. 
This unceremonious fashion. We are passengers on the Limited, 
and it is stalled in the snow half a mile below here. 

Tom. — We've been late the last six hours, for the train be- 
fore was behind, and we were behind before besides. 

Edith. — We hated to spend Christmas eve in a snow bank, 
half frozen, and the conductor said it would be at least two hours 
before the plows could reach us. 

4 



Tom. — So, when we saw the lights of your farmhouse, we 
invited ourselves, and we hope you will accept the invitation. 

Susan. — Well, this is a surprise party, an' I am plumb 
pleased to see you folks, for I wuz lonesome here by myself. I 
wouldn't want nobody a-celebratin' Christmas eve in a snow 
bank. I thought I heard that train a-whistlin'there awhile ago, 
an' yet I didn't hear it go past ; they're company for me, them 
trains, though 1 fought considerable agin the track crossing my 
land. Their fust plan was to have the tracks run right through 
my barn, and I set my foot on that. No, sir, says I. I ain't 
goin' to get up all hours of the night at my age, to open the 
barn doors to let them trains through, an' shut 'em after they 
pass. I guess that made them railroad men change their plans. 
Abner, take the folks' coats an' hats Sit down all of you an' 
get thawed out. 

Miss Prudence. — Be careful of that hat, young man. I've 
worn it six years. (Removes hat and hands it to him.) 

Edith. — Why, I get a new one every season. Last Easter 
I had such a pretty one, all trimmed with pansies, and the 
milliner sent it home in a paper bag. Uncle Reuben opened the 
door and took it in, for I had gone to bed. He thought it was 
flowers, so he put it to soak in the dishpan all night, and you 
should have seen it in the morning. 

(Abner lays down pile of wraps and proceeds to try on 
Tom's hat and overcoat. "Business" of examining wraps, 
trying on hats, while whistling — 




^^^S^^J 



or something monotonous which should be introduced at every 
opportunity. Whistle "off the key" as much as possible. The 
others whisper to each other, moving quietly, to positions away 
from centre, to right and left.) 

Abner. — Now I can get the latest city styles better than 
Bill Barker's mail-order catalogue that he was reading out of last 
night. These clothes have sure got some class to them. If 
Lorena Boggs had seen me now she wouldn't have gone to the 
picnic with the soap salesmen, she'd have gone with yours truly. 
(Puts on hat.) This is I reckon one of them there fried egg 
derbies that's so nifty. Yes, sir, if I'd been togged up in these 

5 



here instead of them hand-me-downs of Miss Susan's brother's. 
(Miss Susan approaches him.) I'd have gone up to Lorena, and 
taken off my hat like this an* said — 

Miss Susan (sharply). — Don't be a fool ! 

Abner (as if surprised). — Xo, ma'am, I wouldn't said that 
to Lorena at all ! 

Miss Susan (in irritation). — Haven't you any sense.'' 

Abner. — No, ma'am, nor dollars either, seeing as I earn 
ten dollars a month and there aint no raise of salary visible to 
the naked eye. 

(Exit with wraps, whistling). 

Miss Priscilla (advancing). ^ — I am certainly glad to be 
here, for I'm always so nervous when traveling. I'm afraid of 
losing my ticket. That reminds me — I wonder if I have it 
now ! (Opens valise and nervously takes out miscellaneous 
articles. Shakes her head. Replaces articles. Opens hand 
bag, and finds ticket.) Thank goodness, here it is !" 

Tom. — I lost my ticket once and when I told the conductor 
I was traveling on my face he said he always punched his fares, 
and guessed I wasn't going very far. 

Edith. — 1 get nervous, too, and when I was in England 
with Cousin Lydia, I had two bags and a rug, and I asked the 
porter if he had seen two rags and a bug 

Miss Prudence (looking about her). — How delightfully 
comfortable it is here, and how charming your old-fashioned 
furniture is. We don't see anything like it nowadays. 

Tom. — No, modern furniture is on the instalment plan ; 
pay a dollar down and a dollar a week till death us do part. 

Miss Priscilla. — If you will permit us, Miss Susan, we 
will continue our fancy work, for we are somewhat belated with 
our Christmas gifts. (Abner enters.) 

Miss Susan. — No need to offer excuses, ladies, for I iike to 
see folks busy. 

Akner (with earnestness). — Yes, ma'am, you do. 

Miss Prudence. — 1 was reading in a magazine article 
recently that a business man should always be well-dressed, and 
as my nephew has recently accepted a position with a large firm, 
I am making him a handsome necktie for business wear. (Dis- 
plays gaudy tie to audience, and then continues knitting it. 

Miss Priscilla. — I am making a gift for my sister-in-law 
6 



who is a woman of fashion, and who is fond of automobiling, so 
I am knitting her a tasteful scarf which 1 am sure will prove 
pleasing. (Shows gay muffler, and continues knitting it.) 

Susan. — What do you folks say to having a Christmas tree? 

All. — Fine ! 

Susan. — Well, I ain't had a tree for years, but I think it 
would be nice to trim up one to celebrate. 

Edith. — That will be splendid ! 

Susan. — Then Mr. Tom you an' Abner go out and chop 
down a tree. Land sakes ! Abner' s asleep an' I never called 
him till quarter past three ! Abner ! Wake up ! Take off them 
slippers, an' put on your gum boots, an' go chop down a tree ! 

Abner (drowsily). — I ain't George Washington ! Work 
again ! 

(Repeats). O life is just a round of joy 
To one who is a hired boy. 

(Whistling, exeunt Abner and Tom.) 

Susan. — Now we'll get the decorations ready. (Takes up 
bowl of popcorn.) I know you young ladies will enjoy stringing 
these. (Bring pail of cranberries, needles and thread.) 

Miss Priscilla (reluctantly). — I can hardly spare the time 
from my fancy work, as 1 know that my sister-in-law would 
be terribly disappointed if this scarf were not completed. 

Miss Prudence. — It is really imperative that I finish this 
scarf for dear Reginald, so we will continue our knitting while 
the others make ready the decorations. 

(Enter Miss Wise, Miss Markus and Rastus the porter, the 
latter carrying suit-cases.) 

Miss Wise. — This really is an imposition, but when we saw 
the others crossing the fields to your delightful farm-house, we 
thought we would follow their example. 

(Porter sets down suit-cases and extends his hand.) 

Miss Wise. — Dear me, must I pay another porter ? 

(Miss Wise and Miss Markus give porter coins which he 
pockets with thanks.) 

Rastus. — Dis sholy am a salubrious farm. Nice place for 
chickens, I wonder if dey's all roostin' now? 

Susan (nervously). — I hope Abner locked that henhouse 
door ! 

Miss Markus. — I'm surely glad to be here, for that train 
was dreadfully cold. 

7 



Rastus. — Wei^ I been habin" triibbel too, for de genelman 
in de diner dis mornin' he ordered two fried eggs, — two fried 
eggs he sez, one fried on one side an' one fried on tother. I 
asked him again jest natchelly thinkin' I hadn't heard c'rect, an' 
he say "Two fried eggs, one fried on one side an' one fried on 
tother,' I done told de cook an' he wuz dat mad he gwine pitch 
me out de winder into a snow bank ? Yes, sir, an' see de black 
eye he gib me ! Mebbe it doan' show but its dere all right ! 

Susan (cordially). — I hope you ladies will feel quite at home, 
and join us in our preparations for a Christmas tree. 

Miss Wise. — That will be lovely. Porter, take my wraps 
and be careful of my Raglan coat. 

Rastus. — Yessum, I'll shore take care of dat ragbag coat. 

Miss Wise. — Raglan, not ragbag ! 

Miss Markus. — What a relief to have finished my school 
work ! I had a terrific headache from correcting those papers of 
mine. What do you think of answers like this ? One of my 
scholars in English history said that the kings were not allowed 
to order taxis without the consent of Parliament. 

Tom. — Well, it kept the rulers from being too extravagant. 

Miss Wise. — I told one of my youtig,' hopefuls to write a 
sentence containing the word income and this was the sentence, 
" I opened the door and in come the cat." 

Miss Markus. — I asked a boy what gravitation was and he 
said, " Gravitation is that which if there were none we should ail 
fly away. 

Miss Wise. — I was positively discouraged with my algebra 
class. One girl wrote that algebraic symbols were used when 
you didn't know what you were talking about. 

(Abner's whistle is heard.) 

Miss Markus. — O that whistling ! Is that all he can 
whistle ? 

Susan. — Yes, and it gets on my nerves somethin' awful 
sometimes. 

Miss Markus. — Have you a lemon ? Lemon juice is most 
good for everything. 

(Susan procures a lemon and hands it to her as Abner and 
Tom enter with tree.) 

Tom. — Now, ladies and gentlemen, this is some tree. I 
cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet. 

8 



AiJNiiK. — You mean I did it. That's the way it always is, I 
do the work and some other feller getg the credit of it. 

Susan. — Well, Abner, I think you had better see that the 
henhouse door is locked. I'd feel safer. My brother in the 
South heard someone in his henhouse one night, and he went out 
with a gun to investigate. He hollered out, " Hey, who's there ?" 
And the third time he spoke right up an' said he'd shoot ; then a 
voice came right plumb out of that henhouse an' said, "Don't 
shoot, massa, it's only one of us chickens." 

Rastus. — Yas'm ! 1 done heerd 'bout dat. He's de genel- 
man what was skeert to leave de henhouse do' open, kase de 
chickens might all go home. (Rolls his eyes and laughs). 

Tom (to Rastus). — Come on, Rastus, help me up with this 
tree, but remember this is a free-gratis job, no tips for this. 

RASTU.S. — Why sholy. Sir, I wouldn't want no remuneration 
for settin' up a Christmas tree. 

Tom — We'll nail it to a board. (Takes hammer and strikes 
his finger. Yells.) 

(All speaking at once.) 

Edith. — Did you hurt yourself? 

Abner. — What you do it for? 

Susan. — Ain't you hurt yourself? 

Rastus. — How did that — ar happen ? 

Tom. — I did it for fun of course. O those foolish questions ! 
(Puts thumb in mouth. Abner begins his whistle. Miss Markus 
bites top off lemon and begins sucking it (or pretends to). Abner 
sees, and after a few efforts to whistle, gives up. Miss Markus 
places lemon somewhere. Abner watching slyly, and when 
opportunity arrives slips it in his pocket.) 

Susan. — Now all get busy and trim the tree for we have 
plenty of popcorn and cranberries. Abner, hand me some of 
those nice red apples to tie on the branches. 

Abner (sighing). — More work ! (During the following all 
trim tree.) 

Susan (severely). — Abner, I have always tried to inculcate 
in you habits of industry. Do you not remember the poem 
about the little busy bee ? 

Abner. — Well, if any one takes me for a bee they'll get 
stung ! 

(Miss Wise and others decorate the tree with the strings of 
crartberries and popcorn.) 

9 



Edith. — Abner, hand me an apple, there's a good hoy, this 
branch just needs one. 

Miss Wise. — Abner, give me a string of cranberries, a nice 
long one. 

Abner. — My land ! what a rest-cure this here farm is ! 

Susan. — Abner, get some string from the kitchen. 

Edith. — Look out, Tom, your tipping the tree. 

Rastus. — If dere's any tippin' roun' here, doant forget de 
porter. 

Edith. — Abner you're real tall, hang that string of pop- 
corn there on the top branch. (Abner gets chair.) 

Susan. — Abner don't you dare stand on that chair, you'll 
break it ! 

Miss Wise. — Now our tree looks fine ! I am proud of it ! 

SusAX (suddenly). — Why how inhospitable I am! I've 
never offered you a thing to eat and you must be half starved ! 

Abner (promptly). — Yes'm, a pie and some gingerbread 
would sure go good ! 

Susan. — I didn't mean you, Abner, I meant the company. 

Edith. — I must say it sounds good to me ! 

Tom (enthusiastically). — Lead me to it ! 

Rastus (announcing). — -First call for dinner in de dining car ! 
Second call for dinner in de dining car ! 
Last call for dinner in de dining car ! 

Susan. — Abner, you can stay and redd up the sitting room 
while we have supper ! 

(E.xeunt all, while Abner pantomimes disgust, but takes the 
lemon from his pocket, looks at it, grins, replaces it, and, whist- 
ling, takes seat ; begins to doze and nod as curtain falls.) 

{Infermission.) 



10 



ACT II. 

(Curtain rises on same scene. Abner dozing, chin on chest, 
or head back, mouth open. Voice outside, " That sure was good 
pie, Aunt Susan." Abner wakens, rises.) 

Abner (soliloquizing). — That's just it ! The others all in 
there eatin' pie, an' me got to redd up the settin' room like a 
sissy !' (Picks up a few articles in a discontented manner.) 
Christmas tree ! Much chance there is of being something for 
me on that tree ! I guess stinginess must run in Miss Susan's 
family, for when her brother and his wife spent Christmas here 
last year, do you s' pose they brought Miss Susan a present? 
Nix! Christmas morning brother says (mimicking) "Merry 
Christmas, dear Susan ! We wish to give you a useful gift and 
no foolish trumpery, so Amelia and I decided to pay for having 
your henhouse whitewashed as it needs it badly." Then that 
there generous giver he turns to me and says, "Abner, my boy 
(mimicking), I do not wish to forget you, and I have noticed 
that a pane in your bedroom window is broken, so I will have 
it fixed at my expense." Yessum, that there gentleman hterally 
and figuratively gives me a pane ! 

(Continues work, whistling over and over — ) 




Well I s'pose now I have performed the noble duties of a 
vacuum cleaner enough to satisfy Miss Susan, an' here comes 
them pie-eaters ! 

(Enter all except Aunt Susan.) 

Edith. — I really think we ought to give some presents to 
this dear old lady who has been so good to us. Let's hang up 
a stocking for her. Abner, you get one, there's a good boy. 

(Exit Abner, returns immediately with stocking, and mean- 
while guests rummage through valises for suitable gifts.) 

Abner. — I'll contribute the pair of red socks she gave me. 

Edith. — How ungrateful ! I'm going to put in this pretty 
lace handkerchief. 

Priscilla. — Here's the jelly I was going to give Uncle 
Joshua. He'll never know the difference. 

Tom. — Right-0. What you don't know don't hurt you. 
That's a good motto. 

11 



Rastus. — Dis here am a rabbit foot, an' it will sholy bring 
de Madam good luck. An' whenever she travels on de Limited 
I'll sholy see dat she is taken care of. I'll steal a magazine 
from de train boy, and pinch a box of chocolates when he ain't 
lookin' an' I'll tell de waiter in de diner to make out her check 
wrong so she gets twice as much as she pays for. 

Miss Priscilla. — What a shocking sense of honor. 

Rastus.— Yes, Miss, I'm a genelman of honor, an' when a 
lady is as kind as de Madam here, I suttinly would study to pay 
her back. I'd even put some of de neighbors' hens in her hen- 
house. Here am a couple of silver spoons for de lady. (Brings 
spoons from pocket,) 

Edith. — (Examining spoon). C. P. R. That's Canadian 
Pacific Railroad. 

Rastus (with dignity). — No, Miss. Dat means Colored 
Pusson's Remembrance. 

(Enter Susan.) 

All. — Merry Christmas. 

Edith. — This is a little token of appreciation of your kind- 
ness, which we hope you will accept, (Hands stocking to Aunt 
Susan.) 

Abner. — Nobody says nothin' about my kindness for workin' 
overtime trampin' out in the snow for the tree. I'll join the hired 
man's union and strike for only sixteen hours a day. 

Susan. — Well, I never. I ain't hung up a Christmas stock- 
ing for forty years. 

Edith. — What do you suppose became of that man in the 
car with us who said he was an inventor and spent all his time 
drawing on brown paper with a stubby pencil ? 

Tom. — I think he was inventing a convertible submarine, 
one that could be turned into an air ship when necessary. 

Miss Prudence. — Maybe he has frozen to death upon the 
train. 

(Knock at door and enter Inventor.) 

Inventor. — Good evening, ladies and gentlemen ! Madam, 
will you permit me to avail myself of the shelter of your home ? 
When the other passengers left the train I was so absorbed in a 
drawing I was making that I did not observe their departure 
until a few minutes ago. So seeing the lights of your farm-hou^^e 
I started across the snow. 

12 



Slsan. — You are very welcome. Abner, take the gentle- 
man' s hat and coat. 

(Inventor hands hat and overcoat to Abner and absent- 
mindedly gives him a tip.) 

Abner. — Thank you, sir. 

Rastus. — Hey you, don't be buttin' into PuUam porter's work. 

Edith. — Merry Christmas to you. 

Inventor. — O dear me. It is Christmas isn't it. I had 
forgotten all about it. 

Rastus. — Yes, sir, this am the happy Christmas time when 
everybody gives presents, specially to them what has blackened 
their shoes and brushed their overcoats and waited on them in 
the diner. Folks gives them pussons presents like fifty cent 
pieces an' dollar bills to show their appreciation an' gratitude. 

Abner. — Well, Rastus, you come round here this spring 
and I'll give you an asparagus tip. 

Inventor. — Ladies, gentlemen and Rastus ! 

Rastus. — What's dat ? Ladies, gen" 1' men and Rastus ! 

Inventor, — Surely. You're not a lady, are you? Your 
youth and inexperience precludes the possibility of your ex- 
ercising a gentleman's perogatives, and therefore having elimi- 
nated all surrounding superfluities you remain — ^just Rastus ; 
that's all. 

Rastus. — Jes' so ! When de wissle blows, fo' ev'rybody 
else it means dinner time, but fo' me its jes' twelve o'clock an' 
dat's all. 

Inventor. — Correct. To resume. Ladies, gentlemen and 
Rastus. You all have contributed to the success of the Christ- 
mas party. (To Tom.) Doubtless this young giant hewed this 
mighty monarch of the forest (points to tree) and single-handed 
and alone bore it upon his capacious back to this hospitable 
domicile for our delectation. 

Abner. — Well, I never ! After all the work 1 done drag- 
ging that there tree through them there drifts ! 

Inventor (continuing). — And the ladies by decorating the 
tree in this most artistic manner (girls courtesy), and this estimable 
friend by offering us her hospitality, so I would like to contribute 
to the evening's pleasure. 

Rastus. — Yessir ! You shall sholy contribute. Where's a 
genelman's hat for de c' lection box ! 

13 



Inventor. — So I will have a new invention of mine 
which is in the baggage car brought here, with this lady's kind 
permission. 

Susan. — Certainly, 1 am greatly interested in new inventions. 
Abner, go over to the train and get the gentleman's box. The 
porter will help you. Abner, are you asleep again ? 

Abner. — Nothing to do till to-morrow. Plow through them 
drifts again ? I ain't no snowplow. Miss Susan. Have a heart 
can't you ? 

Susan. — You should be glad to do anything to give others 
happiness. 

Abner. — Come on, Rastus. All aboard for the North Pole. 
(Go out whistling.) 

Susan. — It is such a great pleasure to have you young folks 
all here, for Abner and I would have spent a very quiet Christ- 
mas together, and this really seems like a very festive celebra- 
tion. My father was always a great hand for keeping Christmas, 
and he contrived to combine generosity with economy in a very 
remarkable manner. I remember one year he purchased a 
china cup for my mother, and desiring to prolong her pleasure 
in the gift he gave her the cup alone for Christmas and the 
saucer for her birthday in April. 

Edith. — My Aunt Malvina is a great hand for giving useful 
presents, and one Christmas she gave the boys a rubber doormat, 
and Lilian, her little girl, a set of soup spoons. 

Miss Priscilla. — I'm thankful that this tie is almost com- 
pleted, and I'm sure that it will please my nephew who is most 
elegant and refined in his tastes. (Exhibits tie.) 

(Voices without are heard.) 

" Easy there !" 

" Hey, you, Abner. Doan you drop dat ar on my toes !" 

" Givin' me all the weight." 

" I ain't ! Hoi' on dar !" 

" Look out, you'll smash the door !" 

" Easy ! Whoa dar, Abner !" 

(Enter Rastus and Abner. Draw aside curtain and reveal 
Wishing Box.) 

Rastus. — Here she am, sah ! Nigh as heavy as a Mogul 
locomotive. 

Abner. — Jiminy ! My feet are cold ! Where's them slippers ? 

14 



Inventor. — Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the wonder of 
the ages ! 

Edith. — How interesting. 

Inventor. — I will explain it if you desire. 

Miss Priscilla. — I am sure it will be most edifying. 

Rastus. — If there am gwine to be speechifyin' I reckon you 
an' me had better fortify ourselves with popcorn, Abner. (Abner, 
and Rastus take strings of popcorn from the tree unobserved 
and eat them.) 

Inventor (as if lecturing). — Ladies and gentlemen, it 
affords me great pleasure to address this cultured and intelligent 
audience. 

Rastus (aside). — That's us, Abner, cultured an' intelligent ! 

Inventor. — My invention is the result of years of study, 
experimentation and research and is destined to fill a long felt 
want. 

Tom (aside). — That's what they say about every new rat- 
trap, egg-beater, dictionary, or patent hairpin. 

Inventor. — One of the secrets of the psychological unrest 
which characterizes the human race is that each person desires, 
in short, to be someone else. The poor man wishes he were 
rich, the rich man would like to be a boy again, the young would 
like to be old, and the old young. Now by means of my remark- 
able invention, these wishes may be gratified either permanently 
or temporarily. 

Edith. — You really mean that any one can be transformed 
into somebody else by stepping into the wishing box ? 

Inventor. — Precisely, my dear young lady, and I desire to 
offer as a Christmas gift to this pleasant little assembly the trans- 
formation which each one desires. 

Abner. — Well, I wish (clapping his hand to his mouth) I 
nearly put my foot into it that time ! 

Tom. — Your mouth ? 
. Edith. — Aunt Susan, you make the first wish. 

Rastus. — Wish for a watermelon, or a possum, or fried 
chicken. 

Susan. — I know a lot of things I wanted when I was a 
young girl, but I ain't young no more. (Regretfully.) I wish 
I didn't have gray hair. 

Inventor. — You made your wish, Aunt Susan. Hop into 
the box. 

15 



Susan (as she gets in). — Mercy sakes, it's all the hair 1 haie, 
I don't want to be bald. 

(Inventor grinds policeman's rattle a few moments, and 
assists Aunt Susan out, who now, having removed wig, has hair 
in long braid.) 

Edith. — What lovely hair. Uo let me arrange it for you. 
Aunt Susan, (Arranges hair, while next character enters bo.x.) 

Inventor (to spinsters).— Now, ladies ? 

Priscii.la. — Well, it may be a foolish wish, but (looks 
toward sister who nods) we would like to be young again. 

Inventor. — Very easily done. Step right into the magic 
box. 

(The two spinsters assisted by the porter enter the box and 
emerge again, having removed cloaks and let down hair, and 
are seen in girlish dresses. They look in the mirror and smile 
at each other.) 

Inventor. — Now for our teachers? 

Miss Wise. — I have consulted my friends, and we agree 
that we would rather have a year's vacation than anything else. 

Inventor. — A sensible wish. (Draws three envelopes from 
box.) Here, ladies, you will find leave of absence with salary 
for a year, and trust that you will spend a delightful vacation. 

Ar.NER. — Well, I wish I could be a soap salesman so the 
girls would take some notice of me, like that feller that comes 
round here every once in awhile an' sells perfumery and stuff. 

Inventor. — Very well, young man, step into the box and 
your wish shall be granted. 

Abner. — Goodbye chores ! And bossy cows and pigs and 
chickens, I'm going on the road. 

Susan. — Mercy ! I don't know how I can get along without 
Abner. He was very troublesome sometimes but he was a help- 
ful boy, and a splendid hand with the pigs and chickens. (Busi- 
ness of rattle, etc. Abner comes out of the box). 

Ahner. — Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to bring to your 
observation our famous Scrubit Soap the wonder of the century, 
the marvel of the ages and the apex, acme, and ne plus ultra of 
our civilization. Soap, ladies and gentlemen, soap. I appeal 
to your 

Edith. — O for pity sakes, we can't hear ourselves think. 

Miss Markus. — How delightful it is to think that we won't 
have to teach for a whole year. 

16 



Abxer. — Ladies, I perceive that you now have your pay 
envelope. May I suggest that you devote a Httle of your money 
to the purchase of soap ? I have many varieties here. Nifty 
Soap for Nice People, Pink Powder for Particular Persons, and 
Diamond Dust which makes washday an occasion of rejoicing 
equal to Fourth of July, Valentine or Christmas ? 

Susan. — Abner, what has come over you. 

Inventor. — It is simply my wonderful invention, madam, 
and instead of being tied down to the pursuit of agriculture 
which was evidently distasteful to him, he has now entered the 
mercantile world. 

Abner. — Miss Susan, here is Cleanup Soap for tired toilers, 
especially good for farmhands. 

Tom. — Have you a little hired boy in your home ? 

Miss Susan. — O don't pester me ! 

Abner. — Is any one here interested in a hand laundry ? 

Miss Susan. — Hand laundry ? I should say not ! Just 
think of folks bein' too plum lazy to wash their own hands. 

Abner (to porter). — Rastus, here is a bleacher which I think 
"vvould help you. 

Rastus. — Massy sakes ! Bleach me? I'd like to be white 
all right ! 

Inventor. — Well, Rastus, you've made your wish. Into 
the box with you ! 

Rastus. — O no ! Massa I was only being facetious like ! 

Tom — A wish is a wish, into the box with you ! 

(Rushes Rastus into the box, etc. Business of rattle. The 
substitute Rastus emerges.) 

Rastus. — That sholy am a wonderful box. 

Abner. — Can I sell you some skin food ? 

Rastus. — Why, I feed my mouf, I don't feed mah skin ! 

Tom (to Edith). — Why, Sis, you haven't had your wish. 
Fire away. 

Edith. — It sounds silly, but I want to be a young lady, so 
that I can go to parties. 

Inventor. — Foolish child, stay young while you can. Get 
into the box though. 

17 



(Edith enters, and emerges in party dress, with fan and 
flowers.) 

Tom. — Well, I wish I were a college fellow for they have no 
end of a good time ! 

Inventor. — Into the box with you, young man, and we'll 
transform you into a Rah ! Rah ! boy in no time. 

(Tom emerges from box with college cap, college sweater 
carrying college flag.) 

Tom. — This is fine fellows ! (iive three cheers for the wish- 
ing box ! 

(Leads cheers.) 

Fra-valio ! E — E — E — E ! 

Fra-valio (whistle) 

E — nick — a — deena — ena — wah ! 

E — nick — a — deena — hah ! hah ! hah ! 

Wishing Box ! Wishing box ! Ah ! 

Abner. — A college education is an excellent thing but I 
prefer life in the great mercantile world, and what could be more 
stimulating to health, happiness and psychological contentment 
than the dissemination of useful articles conducive to cheerful- 
ness and cleanliness which when once tried, always used. Let 
me call you attention to these novelties especially appropriate 
and appreciated as Christmas gifts for mothers, sisters, aunts, 
cousins, wives, daughters, sweethearts, and others. Lilac Lotion 
for Lovely Ladies, twenty-five cents per bottle, this trifling sum 
including not only the lotion itself but bottle, cork, wrapping 
paper, high grade string and advertising matter which is both 
interesting and instructive. 

(Exhibits bottle.) 

Edith. — O who wants your Lilac Lotion for Lovely Ladies ? 

Abner. — Correct, miss, absolutely, unreservedly and un- 
doubtedly correct, for there are many ladies who are not lovely. 
For them I have (producing a bottle) Helps for the Homely, 
First Aid to the Fat, and the Fiji Freckle- Killer. 

Inventor (pointing to Abner). — You see, ladies and gentle- 
men, the complete change which my wishing box has wrought. 
He's even lost his whistle. 

Susan. — Somehow I don't think Abner is specially improved. 
18 



Rastus. — Hark ! I done hear a snowplow moseyin' along. 
I guess this here Christmas party will have to be adjournin', 

(Whistle is heard.) 

Tom. — Ladies and gentlemen, fellow-citizens and fellow- 
travelers, I move that before we adjourn to the Limited we give 
three cheers for Faraway Farm and Miss Susan. (Repeat yell, 
ending Miss Susan.) 

ToiM. — Now, three cheers for the Inventor and his Wishing 
Box. 

(Repeat yell ending " Inventor ! Merry Christmas !") 

(If desired local cheers may be given as the curtain falls.) 



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